Flowery Hair: A Maidservant

Chapter 28 No Infighting in the Tang Family Mansion

From the letter from Zheng Dongjia onwards, the old lady had deliberately instructed Guangbai to observe Meng Shu, with the ultimate goal of selecting a personal maid for the second young lady of the Tang family. Because the second young lady's marriage was related to the future of the Tang family, plans began to be made when she was only ten years old. Her upbringing was one aspect, but cultivating capable assistants around her was also essential.

At this moment, it was merely being said through Madam Yun's words.

Since Meng Shu entered the manor, both Mama An and Steward Cao have grasped the old lady's intentions and naturally treated Meng Shu with some favors. Therefore, the maids who quarreled with Meng Shu in Langya Courtyard would be reprimanded, and Mama An would also extend an olive branch.

But soon, everyone, including the old lady, began to look at Meng Shu in a different light.

One was Meng Shu's embroidery business. As a newcomer, she knew to cooperate with the elders in the mansion to gain a foothold.

Secondly, regardless of her purpose, the ability to create tea crisps was due to her intelligence and knowledge.

Finally, there was the fire incident. His keen observation and quick thinking earned him the old lady's appreciation.

Furthermore, her ability to interact with the maids in Langya Courtyard and communicate with Uncle Song with ease is even more remarkable.

Meng Shu snapped out of her reverie that 'the dust has finally settled,' and seeing the old lady looking at her, she hurriedly said, 'This servant will follow your instructions, mistress.'

The personal maids of young ladies are usually trained as confidantes, and their fate is most likely to be to become dowry maids later on. Meng Shu was naturally unwilling, but she had no room to refuse.

Especially given the great kindness shown to the Tang family.

The old lady looked very satisfied and readily agreed to Madam Yun's request.

After Donggua kowtowed to the old lady, the two of them, feeling dizzy and overwhelmed, left Fu'an Residence with a pile of rewards.

"So, you're going to work for the Second Miss?" Donggua asked, holding several bolts of fabric, very happy for her friend.

Meng Shu wasn't particularly happy. She nodded sullenly, looking at the several boxes of different sizes in front of her.

"You seem a little unhappy. Don't worry, the Second Miss has a very good temperament. You know the small kitchen is full of gossip, but the old women all speak highly of the Second Miss." Donggua thought Meng Shu was worried that the Second Miss was difficult to serve.

"Moreover, you will be the young lady's personal maid, and you will have a deep bond with the second young lady as you spend your days together. It is a rare and good ending for you."

The two arrived at Donggua's room. Meng Shu put down her things and asked Donggua:

"Winter Melon, do you want to leave the manor in the future?"

Donggua paused for a moment, then said in a muffled voice, "Where can I go after leaving the manor? I don't want to go back to my home in Haijin Town at all."

Yes, being a maid in the Tang family isn't bad. She's well-fed, well-clothed, and gets a monthly allowance. But Meng Shu longs to live freely, even if it means doing business everywhere like her uncle. What she fears is a future she can see all along. If she's to be part of the second young lady's husband's family as part of her dowry, she'll likely be trapped in the inner quarters for life, with no chance of ever being redeemed.

Donggua muttered, "I still want to be the manager of the Tang family's small kitchen." Then he stared at the box in front of him with sparkling eyes.

The old lady bestowed many gifts, including two bolts of brocade, seemingly considering that they wouldn't need them as maids; two bolts of cotton fabric suitable for making undergarments; and four sets of jewelry in several boxes. Meng Shu also received a jade bracelet as a reward from Madam Yun.

"Now we're not exactly rolling in money, are we?" Donggua carefully put a gold hairpin on Meng Shu's head. "Meng Shu, how did you grow up to be so beautiful?"

Donggua touched Meng Shu's little face and sighed. Meng Shu smiled and picked up a cloisonné bracelet to put on Donggua's chubby little hand.

“If these were sold outside, they would be worth at least a hundred taels of silver,” Meng Shu said after taking a quick look at the items.

Not only did Donggua's eyes light up, but even Meng Shu thought the old lady was truly generous. If she had sold herself into servitude under a contract, this would have been enough to redeem her. For the first time, Meng Shu felt that agreeing to sell herself in Meng Family Village had been somewhat reckless.

Actually, she was scared at first. The poison in Meng Chengwen's body was very similar to the damage to his heart meridian. Fortunately, the doctor in Haijin Town was not very skilled. But if she had stayed in the Meng family, the outcome would have been nothing more than her stepmother randomly arranging a marriage for her father after his death and taking the dowry. It might have been worse than what she is now.

After figuring things out, Meng Shu stopped feeling sorry for herself. She discussed with Dong Gua about taking a piece of brocade to thank Mama An. Mama An understood the implied meaning and gave Meng Shu some instructions about the people around the Second Miss. Afterwards, she returned to Langya Courtyard alone with the jewelry and fabrics that had been distributed.

That same day, Green Willow and the others learned that Meng Shu was going to be transferred to Yunyi Academy, and they all congratulated her. Green Willow was especially reluctant to part with Meng Shu, and with tears in her eyes, she hugged her and cried.

In the evening, Meng Shu gave the head chef a piece of silver and cooked a few dishes. Xia Zhuluomei also brought a congratulatory gift to offer her congratulations. The group gathered together for a meal.

Before going to bed that night, Meng Shu took out some cotton fabric and made a set of undergarments for Lü Liu. She had gotten along well with Lü Liu during this time, and as time went by, she appreciated this kindness.

Listening to Green Willow's rambling, Meng Shu was also reluctant to part with her. Green Willow had a good temper, but she was also a bit soft-hearted and easily manipulated, so Meng Shu gave Green Willow a few words of advice.

"Green Willow, what are your plans regarding your parents?"

Green Willow was sullen, and after a long while she sighed softly, "They are still my parents. Although I resent them, I don't know what will happen in the future."

Upon hearing this, Meng Shu knew there was no need to waste words. This girl wouldn't know the pain until she was completely cut open. With a sigh, she turned over and went to sleep.

The next day, Meng Shu bid farewell to Steward Cao, who would then take her to Yunyi Courtyard.

Manager Cao had recently won her master's praise for her handling of the situation well, and she had developed a good impression of Meng Shu. Now, seeing Meng Shu sincerely bring two purses to thank her for her care, she was overjoyed.

"You're a thoughtful girl. Although the second young lady is only ten years old, she has always been the most favored by the madam and the old lady. She is also gentle and kind. It's the safest thing to work by her side."

The second young lady enjoys reading and painting, but she is a bit too naive, which is what Madam is most worried about. When you are serving Madam, please keep an eye on the people around her and make sure they don't bully her.

This was truly a sincere piece of advice, and Meng Shu quickly thanked her.

On the way to Yunyi Academy, Steward Cao carefully gave some pointers to the various masters of the Tang family. Although he didn't say too much, he covered most of the key points.

The old lady had one son and two daughters. Her married daughters' husbands' families were all in Lin'an. They often returned to their parents' homes to pay their respects to the old lady. However, when Meng Shu heard Steward Cao's tone of disdain when he spoke of this, it seemed that he looked down on the two young ladies. Meng Shu took note of this.

The current head of the Tang family in Lin'an is very talented in business. He built this huge family business all by himself. He married a woman surnamed Yun, who is the eldest daughter of the fourth branch of the Yun family, the residence of the Minister of Revenue in the capital. The two have one son and two daughters. The eldest son is sixteen years old and has not yet married. He is currently studying at an academy in the capital. The second daughter is ten years old and the fifth daughter is eight years old.

There are also three concubines. Concubine Liu, who lives in Fuliu Courtyard, is the only daughter of a deceased manager of the Tang family business. She gave birth to an illegitimate eldest daughter who is fifteen years old this year and is currently engaged.

Aunt Wen, who lived in Lanting Courtyard, was the illegitimate daughter of a sixth-rank official. She gave birth to the third and fourth young ladies, twins.

Aunt Lu, who lives in Fengyin Courtyard, was brought back by the head of the family when he went out. It is said that she is good at making perfumes and cosmetics. In addition to giving birth to the sixth young lady, she is now pregnant.

Finally, as they approached Yunyi Courtyard, Cao Mama mentioned that the Tang family's inner quarters were the most peaceful. The eldest son was not only filial but also did not favor his concubines. The old lady had no estrangement from her daughter-in-law and was fair in her dealings. The lady and the concubines also got along quite well.

After listening, Meng Shu took some time to sort it out, secretly marveling at it, and summarized it in one sentence.

The family had few male heirs, but the wife had sons and had no worries. The three concubines were busy having sons and had no time to fight, so the inner quarters were relatively peaceful.